Chiefs chase a hat-trick, Pirates under pressure

The Betway Premiership continues with a full round of midweek fixtures on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 August, with co-log leaders Kaizer Chiefs chasing a hat-trick of wins at the start of the season, while Orlando Pirates will be under pressure to put their first points on the board.

Chiefs opened their league campaign with victories over Stellenbosch FC and Polokwane City to join Durban City, Marumo Gallants and Sekhukhune United in a four-way tie at the top, and they will be in action against Richards Bay at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening – with coach Nasreddine Nabi still playing a key role despite being away on family leave, as expressed by assistant Cedric Kaze.

“I’ll say that we are always in contact with the head coach. But he trusts our experience, he trusts our knowledge too,” explained Kaze.

The assistant added, "He trusts us to make the line-up, but as the head coach, he’s also informed daily. Let’s just say that coach Nabi leads the technical staff, and it doesn’t matter who is on the line, and the only thing I will just say is that Kaizer Chiefs is winning, and that’s the most important thing.”

A busy Tuesday also features co-leaders Durban City hosting Golden Arrows at Chatsworth Stadium for a derby clash; Sekhkhune United will seek a third win when they battle Orbit College at the Dobsonville Stadium; Chippa United and TS Galaxy will meet at the Buffalo City Stadium; and the Lucas Moripe Stadium will stage Siwelele FC’s home match against Polokwane City.

On Wednesday, the focus falls firmly on Orlando Pirates, who have endured a miserable start to the league campaign by losing to both Sekhukhune and Gallants – piling the pressure on coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.

The Buccaneers gained back a little credit with their fans with a battling 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal this past weekend, but the fact that Ouaddou has already called for supporters to be patient is a worrying sign for the men in black and white.

“At the moment, the result is not matching with the performance first of all, let’s hope that in the future we will take result and everything will be around. I should praise fans to be patient, I know it’s not the way in big clubs, but I hope they will be patient with us,” said the Pirates boss.

Wednesday will also feature Gallants chasing a third win when they visit AmaZulu FC at the Princess Magogo Stadium, while champions Mamelodi Sundowns will head to the Seshego Stadium for a clash with winless Magesi FC.

Betway Premiership midweek fixtures

Times CAT

Tuesday 19 August

19:30: Chippa United v TS Galaxy

19:30: Durban City v Golden Arrows

19:30: Kaizer Chiefs v Richards Bay

19:30: Orbit College v Sekhukhune United

19:30: Siwelele FC v Polokwane City

Wednesday 20 August

19:30: AmaZulu FC v Marumo Gallants

19:30: Magesi FC v Mamelodi Sundowns

19:30: Orlando Pirates v Stellenbosch FC